For some, a vegetarian or vegan diet is both a lifestyle and a belief system. For others, it is a path to open arteries and a healthy heart. And then there are those who just follow the crowd. Whatever your reason, you will find comfort in the numerous veg-friendly dining options across the state.

Beyond the healthy fats found in smashed avocados or the rainbow of pickled julienned vegetables layered on top of your grain bowl, there’s something else in these places that feeds the soul — a sense of community and understanding.

From hole-in-the-wall joints to award-winning restaurants, there really is something for everyone (including carnivores). At these spots, you won’t have to ask about ingredients or preparation out of necessity, but out of sheer curiosity. The freedom to eat at these places is an indulgence — a word not commonly associated with kale smoothies and salads — because people who usually can’t choose from anything and everything on a menu here can safely indulge in whatever multi-course combination catches their eye. Read on for our top spots near and far.

From the 29-seat space and the off-the-beaten-path location to the vegan-friendly cuisine, 21 Oak seem to cater exclusively to herbivores, but that’s not the case. Despite the 1970s décor, the menu is a far cry from the mid-20th century vegetarian recipes that kicked off a national green movement. Shawn Dickensheets, owner and chef of 21 Oak, is committed to providing vegans and non-vegans alike with a great meal.

“You’ll be full, get plenty of protein and be nourished,” says Dickensheets.

All 28 entrees are vegan and most are gluten-free. Popular dishes include a twist on Thanksgiving dinner that replaces turkey with seitan; sweet potato scallion cakes; coconut curry that uses a blend of North African spices; a “General Tso’s chicken” using tofu, brown rice and a healthy soy and ginger sauce.

“The menu is designed to attract the widest base on a vegetarian scale. My goal is to have anyone come in and have us be able to educate people about why a plant-based diet is a healthy choice,” adds Dickensheets.

Michael Mcandrews

The Earth and Sky at 21 Oak is made with potato, apple, pumpkin seed, red onion, bok choy, chickpeas and curried cashew creme.

Dickensheets was inspired to open 21 Oak after spending decades working in fast food and quick service spots. He knew his health was declining and saw eating a plant-based diet as a solution. “This had been a breakfast place for 30 years. The pipes underneath were 8 inches wide and only had a 1-inch opening because there was so much bacon grease. I visualized that as what my arteries looked like and knew I was doing the right thing,” he reflects.

Dickensheets also owns Vitality Juice and Smoothie next door and plans to combine the two operations later this year. Guests can also expect new outdoor patio dining, which Dickensheets notes will nearly double the capacity.

21 Oak St., Manchester, 860-533-9218.

Ajamo, Hartford

Sara Grant

Potato samosas at Fire & Spice on Capitol Avenue.

Potato samosas at Fire & Spice on Capitol Avenue. (Sara Grant)

In the heart of the bustling business district of Hartford, a vegan haven awaits. Tucked away in the food court at State House Square, Ajamo offers vegetarians, vegans and health-conscious individuals nutritious eats that will sustain them through a busy work day. Founded in 2015 by Jennifer Miller, a vegetarian for 40-plus years, Ajamo provides healthy breakfast and lunch options to nearby working professionals while also supporting the dietary restrictions of vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free and anyone else with food sensitivities.

“We imagined this would exist," Miller says. "We didn’t imagine it would thrive. We wanted to create a space where nobody would feel odd. Six people may be coming from an office and there may be six different food preferences. Everybody should be able to eat what they like, and there can be a conversation about something other than diets.”

Ajamo’s dishes, which are made entirely in house, are designed to leave you satisfied without feeling stuffed. Lunch favorites include the Baja sandwich, a vegan and gluten-free falafel bowl, and a build-your-own salad bar. Miller notes that certain dishes on the menu have meat or dairy in them, but the staff can seamlessly make substitutions and accommodate most major dietary restrictions.

If you want to explore vegetarian and Jamaican cuisine in one swift meal, head to Fire-N-Spice on Capitol Avenue. The healthy, plant-based food appeals to the nearby business crowd, people with dietary restrictions and local residents looking for a taste of home. Fire-N-Spice offers both quality and value — inexpensive, delicious food, and lots of it.

Customers can create a custom combo with three, five or eight sides. Choices include a blend of American and Jamaican staples like jerk tofu, macaroni and cheese, pumpkin rice, curry seitan, okra and vegetarian patties, and all combos ring in at under $15. Guests can sit at the few tables and counter stools inside, or take their order to go, which is the option most people choose.

491 Capitol Ave., Hartford. 860-519-0476.

Flora, West Hartford

Patrick Raycraft

Flora's "Impossible" burger

Flora's "Impossible" burger (Patrick Raycraft)

If the moss signage, watercolor floral wall murals and dozens of succulents aren’t convincing enough of Flora’s commitment to vegan cuisine, then the menu will be. KC and Jamie Ward are the co-owners of Flora, a nearly entirely vegan restaurant in Blue Back Square whose motto is “as vegan as you want to be.”

The chic, modern space fits right in with other upscale restaurants, cafes and boutiques in Blue Back Square. However, Flora also fills a void in the area — “It’s hard to find all the trimmings — a restaurant, a juice bar, a loaded bar and a take-out spot all in one. There wasn’t much else out there that had everything I was looking for in a restaurant,” says executive chef KC Ward.

With the exception of four meat-based entrées for carnivores who can’t convert, the other 20-plus options on the menu are plant-based, dairy-free and often gluten-free.

KC Ward acknowledges that vegan food has a stigma as being bland, not yummy. “When I taste something, I want to have another bite," he says. "We’ve worked hard to use some interesting products, build flavor and make it a fulfilling, satisfying meal.” Staples on the menu include curried butternut squash bisque, cauliflower-based macaroni and “cheese,” avocado bowl, burnt ends made with Impossible™ meat, and a handful of vegan desserts.

It's Only Natural in Middletown turns local, organic ingredients into vegan soups, sandwiches and entrees. (Nick Caito, Special To Ctnow)

“Most of our regulars aren’t vegan," says general manager Steven Ferguson. "Some people just do it for the novelty because they’re curious or they’re foodies.” Ferguson and Ward joke that in the beginning, many guests would think they were given a real burger instead of an Impossible Burger because the flavor was simply spot on. Wards feels that “to be able to break bread at a table with vegan and non-vegans is so powerful. Our culture will evolve, and this is our honest approach to it.”

45 Raymond Road, Second Floor, West Hartford. 860-216-5992.

ION (It’s Only Natural) Restaurant, Middletown

Popover Bakery & Bistro's vegan buffalo cauliflower

Popover Bakery & Bistro's vegan buffalo cauliflower

A locally acclaimed favorite among Connecticut’s vegan crowd, ION is one of the original plant-based restaurants in the state. A full-service restaurant on Main Street, ION has attracted nearby college students, vegans from the Tri-State area and groups in search of a hearty, feel-good meal for more than three decades. Everything on the menu is vegan and organic — and yes, that includes things that will make you blink twice and ask your server, “How do they do that?” Believe-it-or-not staples on the menu include mac and cheese, quinoa-based chili, Reuben sandwich, bacon cheeseburger, crabcakes, and Cajun gumbo.

Owner Renana Magee and executive chef Christine Gaston have created a warm, inviting space that will never make guests with dietary restrictions wonder, “Well, what am I going to eat?” Stay for dessert and don’t feel guilty if you enjoy every single bite of ION’s colorful plates packed with nutrition.

606 Main St., Middletown. 860-346-9210.

Lion’s Den, Hartford

Lion’s Den is a quick-service vegetarian spot in the North End of Hartford, surrounded by a mix of Indian, Jamaican, Chinese, and Dominican restaurants. It’s the type of restaurant the late Anthony Bourdain would rave over — vegetarian cuisine with an authentic Jamaican touch served in an unfussy setting. The informal environment — a daily hand-written menu, Styrofoam containers and just a handful of seats for dine-in — may not be your go-to spot for date night, but don’t pass it up for a speedy lunch or take-out dinner.

A mishmash of rice, beans, curried tofu and vegetables, Jamaican ackee, fried bananas and plantains, gungo pea soup and porridge are packed into inexpensive combination dishes that give you a lot of bang for your buck.

3347 Main St., Hartford. 860-241-0220.

Popover Bistro and Bakery, Simsbury

Popover Bakery & Bistro's "Trendy Vegan Sammie"

Popover Bakery & Bistro's "Trendy Vegan Sammie"

This five-year-old breakfast and lunch spot in Simsbury serves a variety of egg sandwiches, breakfast bowls, sandwiches, salads and its signature overstuffed popovers. The extensive menu will satisfy a group of family or friends regardless or dietary restrictions — nearly half the menu is vegetarian and gluten-free, with a number of vegan options. Since everything is made in-house, the Popover team can accommodate sensitivities. Co-owner and general manager Pam Paydos adds that their new spring menu will include even more dairy-free and meat-free options.

“Vegan and vegetarian is becoming more and more of a need," Paydos says. "We’re going to continue on being trendsetters in that area with current, healthy food. People generally think that vegan is not going to taste good without butter and fat.”

Menu staples include “Trendy Vegan Sammie,” a vegan twist on a classic breakfast sandwich; avocado toast inspired by Hartford’s own Yard Goats; a Philly Cheesesteak-popover; and waffles with Lamothe’s maple syrup from Burlington.

Udupi Bhavan in Middletown offers Southern Indian food, including Thali, a tasty sampling of various dishes.

Udupi Bhavan in Middletown offers Southern Indian food, including Thali, a tasty sampling of various dishes.

The use of local ingredients from farms and foodmakers, plus delicious vegan alternatives to egg patties and meat, has helped prove Popover knows how to make vegan food taste delicious. When it’s seasonal, Paydos sources local produce from farms and farmers markets surrounding Simsbury; year-round, Popover’s sources from, and supports, local food distributors including Sardelli Produce, Hartford Baking Company, Hartford Flavor Company, Giv Coffee, Pure Love Bakery, Hall Farm and Griffin Farm, to name just a few.

928 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury; 860-431-2392.

The Sweet Beet, Granby

In the middle of woodsy, residential Granby is a hidden gem for vegans. The Sweet Beet is a prime example of a “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” type spot, but you definitely should not blink. Inside the strip-mall storefront is a 100 percent vegan cafe. “There’s a lot of vegan restaurants, but there wasn’t anything else like this around, so I decided to create it,” says owner and chef, Heather Dougherty. Dougherty, who grew up in Connecticut, has been vegan for 22 years. Nowadays, there is a meat-free dairy-free and egg-free substitute for nearly every classic American dish. Dougherty, however, still wanted to make her own mark within the vegan community.

At The Sweet Beet, guests can order fresh pressed juice, made-to-order chickpea-based egg or tuna sandwiches, hot soup and salads. The bulk of business comes from the dozens of grab-and-go refrigerated options like taco salad with quinoa, black beans and cashew cream; a veggie-based twist on a shepherd’s pie; polenta fries; rutabaga lasagna with hemp ricotta, pesto, spinach and yams.

For dessert, try Dougherty’s coconut milk-based chocolate or pomegranate puddings. Dougherty has three fully stocked racks of vegan and gluten-free snacks from local indie food makers like Westport’s own Nutty Bunny ice cream, dye-free sprinkles, Mikoyo’s vegan cream cheese, granola from Avon’s Pure Love Bakery, fig-based salami and even vegan soup from Brooklyn-based Fanciful Fox. This destination spot is well worth the drive, and it seems impossible to leave empty-handed.

498 Salmon Brook St, Granby; 860-653-2338.

Udupi Bhavan, Middletown

The Lithuanian coffee cake at Claire's Corner Copia

The Lithuanian coffee cake at Claire's Corner Copia

Drive to the center of Middletown and then continue to drive farther south down Main Street until it turns into Saybrook Road. Don’t turn around — you’re going the right way. Eventually you’ll reach a predominately Indian section of Middletown, where you’ll pass two Hindu temples and reach Udupi Bhavan. The restaurant serves traditional vegetarian-friendly Indian dishes like medhu vada (fried lentil doughnuts); dosas with a variety of toppings, sambar and chutney; five different Indian breads like pooris and paratha, and vegetable pullav. The extensive menu provides not only filling vegetarian dishes but an authentic education of Indian cuisine. Whether you’re a rookie to a vegetarian diet or have been a dedicated vegan for decades, we guarantee you’ll try several new dishes at this family-run spot. Don’t leave without digging into gulab jamun — deep-fried milk balls that swim in a shallow pool of sweet syrup.

749 Saybrook Road, Middletown; 860-346-3355.

<u><b>Farther Afield (But Worth The Drive)</b></u>

Bareburger, Ridgefield and Stamford

Bareburger is a classic all-American burger joint that is something of a miracle. Every single person in your party — young, old, dairy-free, gluten-free, meat-free, I don’t like this, I don’t like that — can eat here. The burger chain offers five different vegan burgers including the Impossible™ burger, the Beyond Burger, a Thai-inspired quinoa and chia patty, a black bean and corn patty, and a sweet potato and kale burger. Over half the menu is vegan, including four salads, the Beyond Sausage sandwich, vegan milkshakes and plenty of dairy-free toppings to pile on.

Bloodroot, Bridgeport

Bloodroot is a self-proclaimed feminist, vegetarian restaurant and bookstore where guests pick up and clean up their own food. The menu is an eclectic mix of vegetarian and vegan dishes inspired by cuisines from nearly every continent. While this may be an unconventional business model, it’s clearly a successful one — Bloodroot recently celebrated its 40th anniversary.

Catch A Healthy Habit Café, Fairfield

For a small-town café experience with an extensive list of healthy and ethical eats, check out Catch A Healthy Habit. The organic plant-based, dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free menu includes fan favorites like the Nori Wrap, made with cashew cheese, fig marmalade and beets; turmeric chocolate fudge; 20 almond-milk based smoothies, and 10 fresh-pressed juices.

Claire’s Corner Copia, New Haven

This sustainable vegetarian establishment hardly needs an explanation … but I’ll give you one anyway. Founded by Claire and Frank Criscuolo in 1975, Clarie’s Corner Copia has been recognized not only for its organic, plant-based cuisine but also for its kosher certification, environmental initiatives and community focus.

John Woike

The spanakopita and spinach salad at G-Zen features filo rolls stuffed with herbed tofu and spinach feta with grilled root vegetables served over organic spinach leaves with the house-made organic apple cider and garlic vinaigrette.

The spanakopita and spinach salad at G-Zen features filo rolls stuffed with herbed tofu and spinach feta with grilled root vegetables served over organic spinach leaves with the house-made organic apple cider and garlic vinaigrette. (John Woike)

Green and Tonic, Greenwich, New Canaan and Westport

Next time you feel the need for a detox, juice cleanse or just a day of healthy eating, head to Green and Tonic. The menu includes superfood smoothies designed to turn you into a “Green Guru” or “Ultimate Warrior”; acai bowls mixed with non-dairy milk, bananas and protein; grain bowls with a slightly spicy finish, and multi-grain avocado toast.

G-Zen Restaurant, Branford

G-Zen Restaurant is part of a vegan trifecta that also includes G-Monkey mobile food truck and G-Glo Juice. Owners Mark Shadle and Ami Beach source produce from their own Shadle Farm and proudly compost and recycle nearly all of the waste produced at their restaurant. Things to try: house-made vegan cheese plate; tempeh-based “crab cakes;” “Rock the Casbah,” a Moroccan stew made with tempeh; vanilla bean lacuma and cacao maca fudge gelato.

In the quiet, eastern corner of Connecticut is a vegan retreat known as Heirloom Food Company. The 100% vegan cafe is open for breakfast and lunch and offers an extensive menu of vegan and gluten-free options. Organic produce is sourced from local, Connecticut farmers whenever possible.

Mamoun’s Falafel, New Haven

Since the 1970s, Mamoun’s has been serving the Elm City some of the best and most well-known Middle Eastern cuisine in the country. Vegetarian options like falafel wraps, baba ganouj, and tabbouleh make up over half the menu; vegetarian items can also be substituted on meat-based dishes for no additional cost.

Navaratna, Stamford

The heart of downtown Stamford is loaded with chain restaurants, trendy bars and a few special spots that deserve to be on your radar. Navaratna is one of them, a vegetarian restaurant that prepares authentic Indian cuisine. We recommend eating here with a group — the menu is long … very long — but the majority of dishes cost $5 to $10 so you can try one of everything without making a significant dent in your wallet.

Next time you’re in New Haven, skip the pizza and try the well-executed vegan Caribbean cuisine at Ninth Square Market. This no-fuss food bar serves of all of its options (of which there are many) cafeteria-style. Proteins include curried soy curls, jerk tofu, BBQ drumsticks and ginger “chicken”; sides include a variety of steamed and curried vegetables, vegan mac and cheese, and rice.

Organika Kitchen, Southport and New Canaan

Organika Kitchen serves energizing, nutritious dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Southport and at its recently opened New Canaan location. In addition to healthy, flavorful choices like acai bowls, a vegan Italian meatball sub and tofu scrambles, Organika also offers one-, three- and five-day at-home juice cleanses.

Pure Alchemy, Wallingford

Sometimes it may seem like we need to make sacrifices to eat healthy but at Pure Alchemy, you don’t have to sacrifice flavor for nutritious, wholesome foods. The brightly colored smoothies, juices and tonics rely on nut milks, fresh fruits, vegetables and protein powder to pack in antioxidants and essential vitamins. A handful of vegan salads, entrees and desserts are also available for those with a bigger appetite.

Right Path Organic Café, New London

In a coastal town known for its proximity to fresh seafood, Right Path Organic Café manages to thrive with fresh, plant-based dishes and drinks. The names of each dish, like the Wisdom bowl, Right Intention salad, Enlightenment smoothie and Liberation celery bites, are inspired by owner/chef Rob Bernardo’s path to mindfulness and well-being.

Shandal’s Vegetarian Café, Bridgeport

In a secluded, residential part of Bridgeport, Shandal’s is exactly the type of hole-in-the-wall vegetarian spot that you cannot miss. Its authentic Caribbean cuisine is casual, inexpensive and full of flavor. The cafeteria-style serving system allows customers to mix and match their protein-packed veggies, barbecue tofu, rice and beans, rasta pasta and stews.

Three Girls Vegan Creamery, Guilford

The mother-daughter(s) team behind Three Girls Vegan Creamery takes a plant-based approach to classic Italian staples like lasagna, eggplant rollatini and pizza. What started as a small-batch, 100 percent vegan meat- and cheese-making operation has turned into an extensive veg-friendly grab-and-go Italian joint.